The World Health Organization (WHO) has dedicated resources for the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19 pandemic). COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. The organization has dedicated a number of resources that include:
- A year without precedent: WHO’s COVID-19 response– details the organization’s interventions to COVID-19 across the world.
- Advice for the Public– that seeks to dispel myths about the virus, instruct on how to use a mask, provide informative videos, and guidance on healthy parenting.
- Advice on the Use of Masks in the Context of COVID-19– provides advice on the use of masks in communities, during home care, and in health care settings in areas that have reported cases of COVID-19.
- Communication Material– that includes informative posters, infographics, and multimedia clips.
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) training: Online training– is a series of videos about real-time training during global emergencies. The COVID-19 channel provides learning resources for health professionals, decision-makers, and the public for the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
- COVID-19 Vaccines– provides the latest updates on the development of the vaccine against COVID-19. The page includes the research & development blueprint, the development of the vaccine, and how it works.
- COVID-NMA Vaccine Mapping– provides a live mapping of COVID-19 vaccine trails across the world. The evidence-based synthesis on the preventative interventions, treatments, and vaccines are geared towards supporting decision-makers.
- Dashboard– that provides graphical depictions pertaining to cases on a national, regional, and global level.
- Global Research– from searches of bibliographic databases, hand searching, and the addition of other expert-referred scientific articles.
- Global Humanitarian Response Plan COVID-19– details the primary and secondary effects of COVID-19 in 63 countries as the pandemic progressed throughout 2020.
- Infection Prevention And Control During Health Care When Novel Coronavirus (Ncov) Infection Is Suspected– provides guidance on infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies for use when infection with a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is suspected.
- Mental Health And Psychological Resilience During The COVID-19 Pandemic– provides information and guidance to governments and the public. There are sources on addressing the mental health and psychosocial aspects of the outbreak, coping with stress, helping children cope with stress and physical and mental health resilience.
- Methodological Approach to Assess Variants Effect on Vaccine Efficacy, Effectiveness– provides the organization’s efforts to set up mechanisms on the guidance of vaccine developers/ manufacturers and coordinate approaches to assess them. It also details the rollout of and the efficacy assessment of the vaccine in the context of the new variant.
- Situation Reports– that monitor and update the latest information regarding cases on a national, regional, and global level.
- Technical Guidance– regarding risk communication and community engagement. The page also provides mental health considerations, communication guidelines for healthcare facilities, preparing the workspace, and addressing social stigmas associated with COVID-19.
- Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, And Waste Management For COVID-19– is a technical brief that provides WHO guidance on water, sanitation, and health care waste which is relevant to viruses including coronaviruses.
- WHO-recommended Hand Rub Formulations– is a practical guide for use at the pharmacy bench in the actual preparation of the formulation. It also summarizes some essential background technical information and is taken from the WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care (2009).
- COVID-19 Research and Innovation Achievement – is a summary of the global research initiatives and achievements to address the COVID-19 pandemic. It measures the progress made in regards to the knowledge gaps and identifies the research & development (R&D) achievements and gaps that still exist.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) International Infection Control Program has developed guidance to help implement strategies for COVID-19 prevention in healthcare facilities in low- and middle-income countries. The following documents are immediately available to assist with planning and implementation:
- COVID-19 Data Improvement – explains the center’s approach towards data-driven solutions in the context of public health and the eight goals for better data collection and utilization
- COVID-19 Vaccine– provides the latest updates on the distribution of the vaccine in the USA. It also includes the benefits of the vaccine, the allergic reaction to the vaccine, and answers the most frequently asked questions about the vaccine.
- Guidance for the Identification of Healthcare Workers and Inpatients with Suspected COVID-19 in Non-US Healthcare Settings– provides guidance on the identification or screening of healthcare workers (HCWs) and in patients with suspected COVID-19.
- Science Brief: Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant – summarizes the initial emergence of the Omicron variant as well as the characteristics of the variant and the public health response.
- Strategic Priority Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Activities for Containment and Prevention of COVID-19 Cases at Healthcare Facilities in Non-US Healthcare Settings– is intended to guide national-level coordination, healthcare facilities, and implementing partners in considering and planning high-priority IPC activities to prevent healthcare-associated transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus).
The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) provides information and guidance on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. The IASC Principals, supported by the IASC’s Emergency Directors Group, are meeting regularly to assess the rapidly-evolving situation and determine necessary actions to urgently respond to the COVID-19 outbreak:
- COVID -19 Resources Relating to Accountability and Inclusion – is a compilation of resources to improve the accountability and inclusivity of humanitarian response(s) to the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Global Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP)– was created to analyze and respond to the direct public health and indirect immediate humanitarian consequences of the pandemic. It focuses on populations in countries that are already facing crises.
- IASC Interim Guidance on Localisation and the COVID-19 Response– provides guidance on how international humanitarian communities can adapt their delivery modalities in response to COVID-19 consistent with existing commitments on localization of aid, strengthening partnerships with local and national actors, and operating effectively in an environment affected by COVID-19.
- IASC Interim Guidance on COVID-19: Emergency Response Preparedness Approach– is a step-by-step guide for non-humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) countries to support the development, or strengthening, of preparedness measures to ensure that country teams are operationally ready to implement activities to address the potential non-health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and its compound effect on existing risks.
- IASC Key Messages on Applying IASC Guidelines on Disability in COVID-19 Response– provides an overview of the factors that may put persons with disabilities at heightened risk in the COVID-19 pandemic and response in humanitarian settings; and proposes actions to address these risks.
- IASC Key Messages on Climate Change, Humanitarian Action and COVID-19– provides key messages that focus on humanitarian impacts of climate change, including how these impact different groups in vulnerable situations, and different types of needs and sectors, as well as more detailed recommendations on reducing climate change driven humanitarian needs. They particularly address issues related to COVID-19 and climate change.
- IASC Key Message to Fast-Track Health and Air Workers and Supplies at Borders and in Countries– provides communication content to support collective advocacy efforts for the safe and fast-tracked access for health and aid workers and supplies at borders and in countries. It was developed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in consultation with IASC members.
- IASC Key Protection Advocacy Message- COVID-19– provide information on the key protection issues related to or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and suggest how these protection issues could be addressed through collective advocacy.
- IASC Proposals to Address the Inconsistency in Unlocking and Disbursing Funds to NGOs in COVID-19 Response– details the groundwork to develop planning, increasing funding, and reporting to NGOs that are in the front line response of the pandemic.
- Interim Briefing Note Addressing Mental Health and Psychosocial Aspects of COVID-19 Outbreak– provides a summary of the key mental and psychosocial (MHPSS) considerations to consider in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak with details for multiple levels of intervention.
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Interim Guidance on Public Health and Social Measures for COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Operations in Low Capacity and Humanitarian Settings– outline the key public health and social measures that need to be taken to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 and the impact of the pandemic. The recommendations are outlined to be adjusted according to the scale of transmission, context, and resources in order to manage the pandemic effectively.
- Interim Guidance on Scaling-Up COVID-19 Outbreaks Readiness and Response Operations in Camps and Camp-like Settings– outlines the needs and considerations for humanitarian situations to scale up readiness and response operations for the outbreak through effective multi-sectoral partnerships.
- Interim Key Messages: Flexible FUnding for Humanitarian Response and COVID-19– provides key messages to donors on how they can better support the pandemic response and ongoing humanitarian funding. The information promotes placing assistance in the hands of people in need and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian action.
- Interim Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Schools– provides guidance for safe operations through the prevention, early detection, and control of COVID-19 in educational institutes.
- Interim Guidance: Gender Alert for COVID-19 Outbreak– details the gendered impacts of COVID-19. It also includes the minimum standards for integrating gender equality into the preparedness and response planning process and cluster program priorities for a gender-integrated response.
- Interim Guidelines on Public Health and Social Measures for COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Operations in Low Capacity and Humanitarian Settings- outlines how key public health and social measures are needed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread and the impact of the disease can be adapted for use in low capacity and humanitarian settings.
- Interim Guidance on Scaling-up COVID-19 Outbreak in Readiness and Response Operations in Camps and Camp-like Settings– provides guidance for field staff in tending to the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs), host communities, asylum seekers, refugees and returnees, and migrants. These groups are commonly faced with specific challenges and vulnerabilities that must be considered when conceptualizing readiness and response options to the COVID-19 outbreak. The report was jointly developed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and WHO.
- Interim IASC Recommendations for Adjusting Food Distribution Standard Operating Procedure in the Context of the COVID-19 Outbreak– instructs field coordinators, site managers, public health workers, governments, and humanitarian actors on ensuring the safest distribution of food assistance. The report was developed with the World Food Programme (WFP).
- My Hero is You, Storybook for Children on COVID-19– addresses and informs on children’s mental health and psychosocial needs during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) concludes that COVID-19 highlights what they had outlined in the ‘Global Assessment on Risk 2019’ that “risk is systemic, and crises are cascading“. The organization has developed content and conducted webinars to find COVID-19 solutions that are inclusive:
- Assessment Study of the Role of National Disaster Management Authorities (NDMAs) in COVID-19 Crisis Response and Impact of COVID-19 on NDMAs Operations – is a study that provides and an overview and findings of the comprehensive analysis of the role and effectiveness of the NDMAs in the response and recovery efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
- Quick Risk Estimation (QRE) Tool– was developed for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to develop a basic understanding of risk and how such comprehension can build resilience. It primarily works to support business owners in identifying internal and external risks, providing a general evaluation of individual business risks, and strengthening risk awareness and communication between business owners.
- Review of COVID-19 Disaster Risk Governance in Asia-Pacfic: Towards Multi-Hazard and Multi-Sectoral Disaster Risk Reduction– examines the disaster risk governance structures in Asia-Pacific, starting with a desk review of the guiding documents countries use to govern their disaster risk reduction efforts. It reviewed 28 countries. It investigates how these countries integrate biological hazards and the health sector into their priorities and plans.
- UNDRR Asia-Pacific COVID-19 Brief: Business Resilience in the Face of COVID-19– highlights the challenges businesses face when building their resilience. It also provides recommendations for business owners and policymakers.
- UNDRR Asia-Pacific COVID-19 Brief: Leave no One Behind in COVID-19 Prevention, Response, and Recovery– is a brief that underlines the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on certain groups of people and offers some key policy recommendations to ensure no one is left behind in COVID-19 prevention, response, and recovery.
- UNDRR Asia-Pacific COVID-19 Brief: The Human Rights Dimensions of the COVID-19 Pandemic– presents the challenges to the protection of human rights around the world. It also details longstanding human rights issues that have been exacerbated by COVID-19, highlights the challenges to human rights, and provides policy advice and recommendation to ensure a rights-based approach to disaster response.
- UNDRR Asia-Pacific COVID-19 Webinars– are 60 minutes episodes that provide the most relevant information and actionable recommendations on priority topics to support countries in their prevention, response, and recovery efforts.
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